Nights Out at Home - Jay Rayner
A cookbook of recipes Rayner cooks at home, inspired by restaurant versions he’s eaten as a restaurant critic. Each comes with its own story. For example, the recipe for fesenjan is based on the one at Persian Cottage in Middlesborough. It briefly tells the story of the owner’s arrival in the UK, stowed away in the back of a lorry and then seeking asylum here. It’s a good read as might be expected from the UK’s probably best known restaurant critic.
Bethlehem - Fadi Kattan
Lots of Middle Eastern cookbooks around but not too many of Palestinian takes on the subject. And even fewer of “Modern Palestinian” food. Kattan is the chef/owner of Fawda in Bethlehem and also owns Akub in London… Recipes are divided across four main chapters, representing the seasons.
Used books were on sale on the most recent book day, so of course I couldn’t resist:
Cucina Paradiso, the heavenly food of Sicily by Clifford A. Wright
The Herbfarm Cookbook by Jerry Traunfeld
Such emotional attachment to that cookbook! My mother (RIP) loved visiting JT’s herb farm. I bought two copies of the cookbook, one for each of us. Regrettably, her cooking years were behind us by the time I bought the book(s), and mine were just beginning. Still, it’s an attachment I find hard let to go…
Enjoy!
